Living in Chicago, between work, commutes, and trying to have a life, keeping your home spotless can feel like a second full-time job. We get it. Sometimes, you just need a few clever hacks—or a little professional home cleaning help—to make your space shine.

Who says you need a Pottery Barn budget to have a beautifully styled home? With a little creativity, you can find stunning decor dupes at your local Dollar Tree that look anything but cheap. Here’s how to spot the best items and style them for a high-end look in minutes, leaving you more time to enjoy your beautiful space—or to schedule a cleaning for the parts you’d rather not tackle.

Instant Elegance: Table & Holiday Decor Finds

Start by heading straight for the seasonal aisles. You’ll be amazed at the quality of some items, especially when you have an eye for potential.

1. The Glassware Gem

Keep an eye out for candy cane-striped drinking glasses. While Pottery Barn sells a similar set for around $56, these festive finds are just $1.50. They’re so popular they fly off the shelves, so grab them when you see them! They instantly elevate a holiday table setting.

2. The Reindeer Centerpiece

Next, snag a delicate reindeer figurine that has a beautiful, crystal-like appearance. High-end retailers sell similar pieces as name card holders for $40 or more. You can mimic this luxe style by simply tucking place cards into the reindeer’s antlers. It’s a five-second upgrade that makes a huge impact.

Pro Tip: A full, chic table setting is possible entirely with Dollar Tree finds. The key is cohesion. Once your decor is set, let a trusted Chicago cleaning company handle the post-dinner mess so you can relax.

3. Gift Box Glamour

Don’t overlook their plain mini gift boxes. At $1.25 each, they’re a blank canvas. Elevate them instantly by tying a satin ribbon around the top. Suddenly, you have a designer-looking gift box for just a few dollars total. It’s perfect for hostess gifts or small holiday presents.

PS. For ambiance, the “Sugar Plum Fairy” candle scent from Dollar Tree is a crowd-pleaser and a fantastic, affordable way to make your whole apartment cleaning efforts feel complete with a welcoming fragrance.

Next-Level DIY: Candle Holder Dupes

This might be the best secret of all. With two simple Dollar Tree items, you can create stunning candle holders that look straight out of a catalog.

The $3 Crate & Barrel Look-Alike

  • What you need: One glass candle holder and one mini glass cloche (the kind used for tiny cakes or desserts).
  • The trick: Gently remove the bottom base from the cloche. You’ll find it fits perfectly over the glass candle holder as a elegant hurricane shade.
  • Finishing touch: Use a dot of hot glue to attach a small strike plate (or a decorative button) to the side as a faux latch. The result is a stunning piece that rivals a Crate & Barrel design for a fraction of the cost.

The Anthropologie-Inspired Match Set

Take the same mini cloche, but this time, super glue it to the top of a candlestick (also from Dollar Tree!). This creates a beautiful, tall cloche display perfect for showcasing a seasonal ornament or a small succulent. It’s an exact dupe for high-end anthropology sets. The look is so gorgeous and achieved entirely on a dime.

When your DIY projects are done, you might find a bit of glitter or glue residue left behind. For a truly flawless finish, consider some deep cleaning help to address the little details.

Enjoy Your Beautiful, Stress-Free Space

Decorating your home should be fun, not another chore on your endless list. These hacks prove you can live beautifully on a budget. And when it comes to maintaining that fresh, clean feeling in your home, remember you have options. Whether you need a quick refresh or a comprehensive reset, reliable cleaning services in Chicago can give you back your weekends.

If you’re a busy Chicagoan dreaming of a spotless home but short on time, it might be the perfect moment to book an appointment with a pro. Sometimes, the best hack is knowing when to ask for fast cleaning services to clean your apartment efficiently.

Ready for a Clean Home Without the Stress?

If you’re in Chicago and want your space spotless without lifting a finger, Jikas Cleaning is here to help.

Book Your Cleaning Appointment Now →

Dollar Tree designer in 5 seconds. Here’s what I’d grab. Candy cane drinking glasses. Pottery Barn has a similar version for $56. These are a buck 50. They’re flying off shelves. Next, I’d grab this reindeer that looks like crystal. Pottery Barn has similar name card holders for like 40 bucks. I’d mimic the high-end style by putting name cards in the reindeer’s antlers. This table setting was all done from Dollar Tree. Next, definitely grab their mini boxes. These are 125 each, but elevate the look in 5 seconds by adding a satin bow to the top. This looks like a designer box you did for just a few dollars. PS. The best candle scent from Dollar Tree is sugar plum fairy. Now, you know, but I think my favorite dupe of this video is to grab one of these candle holders from Dollar Tree. They’re glass and one of these mini cloches. This is a really easy trick. Take the bottom off the cloch. And this fits perfectly over the glass container. Hot glue a strike plate to the side. These candle holders are a crate and barrel dupe for $3. Look at how similar they are. Super glue a candlestick to the bottom of the cloch to dupe this anthropology match set. Oh my gosh, this is so gorgeous on a dime. Save this video so you never miss these things in store.